Birmingham celebrates the athletes of The Word Games 2022! Wednesday's Athlete's Night at the Jones Valley Teaching Farm had as its grand finale a concert by Grammy winner Big Bo, one-half of OutKas, on The World Games Plaza. An area in front of the stage was reserved for The World Games athletes. Just behind them, the locals enjoyed the concert. "We had a tremendous crowd,” Jonathan Porter, Chairman of the Birmingham Organising Committee stated.
There must have been 8,000 to 10,000 people in the plaza that night. The athletes were there, the officials, the fans and the people of Birmingham. Jonathan Porter: “It was great to see the athletes engaged with the community, and they were shown the love that Birmingham has for them.” He got great feedback from the athletes, praising the warm embrace they had received from the citizens. The athletes were officially welcomed by Jonathon Porter and Birmingham’s Mayor Randall Woodfin.
The Athlete’s Night began with a private event for participants of The World Games at Jones Valley Teaching Farm next to the plaza. This event not only included interactive experience, but also a live DJ and of course food and beverages. It was a good start for getting in the mood for Big Boi on stage.
A party mid-term in the Games, the Athletes Night is special as the main side event in the middle of the Games. It is mainly dedicated to those participants who miss the two official ceremonies.
The World Games is a multi-sport event staged every four years by the International World Games Association, organised with the support of the International Olympic Committee. The 11th edition of The World Games will be held in Birmingham, Alabama, USA, 7-17 July 2022. 3,600 athletes from 34 sports and over 100 countries will take part in The World Games.